After burner: Hennessey Venom GT

TG grabs the almost-production-ready Venom GT to find out how 1,030bhp deposits itself on Silverstone’s tarmac...

A cluster of black Hennessey shirts hover
around the silver car, popping clasps and hauling open the rear clamshell that
gives the Venom its unfamiliar proportions. From the C-pillar forwards, the car
is recognisably Lotus Exige, but the rear is long, GT-racer-ish. John Hennessey
strides up and introductions are duly made, John looking me up and down only
slightly hesitantly. His handshake is firm and forthright, his excitement about
the car fabulously contagious. We launch into detailed car chat, but I'm
desperate to drive the thing and can't seem to stand still.

I've turned up in non-regulation test wear
of shorts and t-shirt, excitement etched onto my features like a kid at
Christmas. I love V8s. The only thing better than a V8 is a bigger V8, or one
with forced induction. The Venom has both. I'm practically dancing. John looks
imploringly at Creative Director Turner, who sighs and shrugs.